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It seems like no matter how much I sand I get what I think are spots where glue was. It becomes visible when I apply z-poxy. Notice the spots on the end and side of the headstock. Before applying the z-poxy I wiped with naphtha to clean the surface and look for imperfections, but it didn't seem to show up then. Can I simply sand back these areas and reapply z-poxy or will uneven areas show up? Once I completely sanding off all of the z-poxy on a neck and started over. I don't want to do that again... Any comments or suggestions?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Yep those are glue spots alright. Sand them out and re-do the epoxy, the color will even out. Don't check for errant glue spots with naptha, it evaporates too quickly. Try mineral spirits instead.

Steve

If it is glue (titebond, fish or hide) try water and be ready to finish sand the fuzz.

Bob

Bob, I used is LMI white glue... what do you mean try water? That sounds a little dicey around wood bindings... does the water loosen the glue?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

You sure you didn't same thru the z-posy in those spots? I have had similar using z-posy, but for me it was sanding thru. I now do a last coat of z-posy thinned pretty well, and apply to ensure uniform coloring. Z-poxy likes to make everything amber .

Glenn

It does suck having to go backwards and do over Steve. Fortunately it wasn't a burst. That sucks even more. Putting on your close up glasses and a wipe down with Naptha will quite often show up those culprits before finishing.

Kind of a coincidence that it is in the same location on both sides and both top of the head and bottom. Did you glue on wings to the peghead? Could it be something in the grain of the pieces that you glued on?

I have never had glue spots like that probably because I sand the wood to an extreme. This suggests you may be skimping on the sanding step.

All three spots are endgrain which seem to have sucked in the glue (...you didn't thin it did you??).
Nothing for it but to sand it out IMO. (Callyrox makes an interesting point) You can relieve the angle off the headface (eg from 90 to 88) to get the blemish without sanding the binding edge too much. Reapply zpoxy after... should blend fine.

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Dave
Milton, ON

Hide glue is less inclined to show glue spots.

Hide glue is less inclined to show glue spots.

Hide glue is less inclined to show glue spots.

You can leave it as it is tape off the light head plate would with a fine line tape and spray toner over it


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Ken

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Ken

I simply went back and sanded the z-poxy back and removed the glue. Perhaps I didn't sand enough but Dave makes a good point that the end grain suck in the glue... Anyway, it fine now. Didn't require to much sanding...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com